Judi Lloyd: Your New Bern gardening to do’ list for April

Bulbs: By now, many of your spring bulbs have bloomed or are blooming. And, pretty as the flowers are, when they fade, leaves that become more unattractive as time goes on, remain. So our first inclination is to cut them down to the ground; but put patience ahead of pruning, which will help these perennials bloom season after season.

Bulbs: By now, many of your spring bulbs have bloomed or are blooming. And, pretty as the flowers are, when they fade, leaves that become more unattractive as time goes on, remain. So our first inclination is to cut them down to the ground; but put patience ahead of pruning, which will help these perennials bloom season after season. If you rush to remove the unsightly stems and leaves of these botanical storehouses, they will green up next year despite premature pruning, but have smaller and fewer blooms. So, when should you trim them back? Wait until the foliage turns brown and dries out, which is about six to eight weeks after they finish blooming.

Lawns: If you have not done a soil test within the last two years, it would be a good idea to do one before applying any fertilizer to see if any additional nutrients are needed. (Soil sample kits are available at the Cooperative Extension Center 633-1477). If you have established centipede grass, wait until late May to fertilize. Donít let your lawn get shaggy; mow often so that strong root growth develops.

Tree and shrubs: Apply a 3-inch layer of mulch to the drip line; but donít pile it against trunks. Water newly planted trees and shrubs regularly throughout the first summer (2 to 3 gallons per inch of trunk diameter at least once a week).

Flowers: Broadcast a slow release fertilizer on perennial beds. Hostas, day lilies and phlox can be divided as soon as growth appears. Wait until mid-month to set out summer annuals and summer-blooming bulbs. Annuals will benefit from liquid fertilization for the first month in addition to slow release fertilizer applied when you plant them.

Vegetables and herbs: You can set out young pepper and tomato plants about the middle of the month. But, wait until the first of May before you set out the more cold-sensitive eggplant and basils. Now is the time to direct sow seeds of beans, peas, cucumbers, squash and corn.

House plants: If your plants have outgrown their pots, divide and re-pot them in a larger container. Use a slow release fertilizer for all of them and then let them ďsummerĒ outdoors starting about mid-May if itís warm enough.

I like to use cottonseed meal as a fertilizer on all of my landscape. Itís easy to apply (use about a cup per plant; very inexpensive ($18 for a 40 pound bag); comes in a paper (recyclable) bag; organic; and easy to find (Williams Farm and Garden for the 40 pound bag and Mitchell Hardware has smaller ones). I apply it in March or April and then again in July.

It sure feels great to get out in the yard again.

Happy gardening.

Judi Lloyd lives in River Bend and can be contacted at judilloyd@yahoo.com.